Captain Ringgold expressed his astonishment in his looks at the name the young millionaire had chosen for his yacht, and Uncle Moses shook his fat frame with laughter. Probably they supposed he would select the “Thunderer,” the “Skyrocket,” the “Boomerang,” or at least the “Sea-Nymph,” the “Ocean-Bird,” or some similar appellation, as most boys would have been likely to do. “That is rather a strange name for a steam-yacht of six hundred tons,” suggested the shipmaster. “I would have called her the ‘Maud,’ after my mother, if Scoble had not given the name to that schooner, ‘Built in the eclipse and rigged with curses dark.’ If I should set up an idol on earth, in a metaphorical sense, I should call it the ‘Guardian-Mother,’ and it would mean her who has watched over me all my life,” replied Louis, the tears beginning to fill his eyes again. “If this steam-yacht means anything to me, it means the safety and happiness of my mother, with whom in my inmost thoughts I have for some time associated this name.” “There is not another word to be said!” exclaimed Captain Ringgold. “I know what it means now.” “It is not a bad name at all,” added the squire. “I think it is rather poetical.” “I know what it means to me, and I don’t care whether anybody else knows or not,” added Louis, wiping away his tears. “The question is fully understood now,” said the captain, springing from his chair and consulting his watch. “The last train leaves in half an hour, and we must go to New York by it. Squire Scarburn, you had better have Mrs. Blossom pack up all Mrs. Belgrave’s clothing, linen, and trinkets, with plenty of warm wraps.” While Louis was packing his valise, for he was not sure that he could return the next day, Uncle Moses drew several checks, payable to the captain’s order, taking his receipt for the amount. The shipmaster went to his own house for his clothing, and they left for New York by the train. The squire hugged Louis again, and gave him a large check for the expenses of the expedition in which he was to be engaged. It was understood that Captain Ringgold was to go with him to Bermuda, or wherever else he might go. “Now, Louis, you will soon be the owner of as fine a steamer as ever went out of New York harbor, and I hope that inside of ten days you will have your mother settled in the best stateroom on board of her,” said the shipmaster when they were seated in the car. “I hope so with all my heart; and when that comes to pass I shall feel as though I owed more to you for it than to all others,” replied the embryo yacht owner warmly. “Not at all, Louis; I am almost as much interested in this business as you are; and I pledge you my life, my property, and my sacred honor to stand by you to the end,” said the captain very pleasantly. “Thank you, sir; and when I see my mother I shall inform her that she owes more to you than to me for whatever has been done for her.”